Drinking only wine and beer doesn’t make the situation better; this is just one of many alcohol myths. The effects of alcohol start sooner than people realize, with mild impairment (up to 0.05 blood alcohol concentration [BAC]) starting to affect speech, memory, attention, coordination, and balance. And if you are under 21, driving after drinking any amount of alcohol is illegal and you could lose your license. Critical decision-making abilities and driving-related skills are already diminished long before a person shows physical signs of intoxication.
Debunking 12 Common Alcohol Myths: The Truth About Alcohol
Experts recommend no more than 3 drinks in a single day or no more than a total of 7 drinks a week. A drink is defined as 12 fluid ounces (355 mL) of beer, 5 fluid ounces (148 mL) of wine, or 1½ fluid ounces (45 mL) of liquor. This doesn’t mean that you can’t have a glass of wine with dinner if you choose to. But it does mean that you shouldn’t assume it’s benefiting your health, or that it’s guaranteed to be safe. Most of the health benefits of red wine can be gained from other food sources, while alcohol, no matter the situation, is toxic to your body.
When should you cut down on drinking?
Additionally, alcohol can damage the nerves in the inner ear, affecting balance. This is a recipe for falls, which are typically much more traumatic in older adults and can even be deadly. Normally, your body cycles through light and deep phases of sleep. Alcohol inhibits refreshing REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and later on causes “REM rebound,” with nightmares and trouble sleeping.
Myth: Drinking heavily just on the weekend is fine.
If you can hold your liquor, that might indicate that you’ve developed a tolerance to alcohol, which might indicate that you’re drinking too much. Being able to “hold your liquor” generally means you have a higher alcohol tolerance, which can be a sign that you’re drinking more. While it’s true that you might be able to drink liquor faster than beer, what really matters is how much actual alcohol is in your system, not the type of beverage. When you find the right tools and support for you, it’s possible to recover from alcohol use disorder. For ways to seek support, you can visit Psych Central’s guide to mental health help.
Even occasional binge drinking can increase your chances of long-term illnesses from alcohol, and can also raise your likelihood of developing alcohol use disorder further down the line. Humans have a long, complicated relationship with alcohol. We often toast to special occasions, and that glass of red wine may even have health benefits. If you’re aware of the risks, you’re generally fine to drink alcohol in moderation. If the drug fulfills a valuable need, you may find yourself increasingly relying on it.
- Millions of readers rely on HelpGuide.org for free, evidence-based resources to understand and navigate mental health challenges.
- Dendrite damage interferes with those messages, which can account for all those poorly spelled texts and the inability to walk in a straight line.
- Earlier this month, for instance, the media reported on a new study that found even small amounts of alcohol might be harmful.
- “Drinking coffee or other caffeine products after having one too many drinks can trick your brain into making you feel energized and more awake or alert,” warns Dr. Janesz.
Many people with alcohol use disorder hold jobs, maintain families, and appear to be functioning normally. Alcoholism doesn’t discriminate based on socioeconomic status. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is one of the 14 myths about alcohol most widely used support groups for alcohol in the U.S. However, AA and other support groups are not required to overcome addiction. When it comes to addiction and alcoholism, no two cases are the same.
Myth: Eating a big meal before you drink will keep you sober.
This is because while it may feel like you’re taking the edge off your hangover and nausea by downing more drinks, doing this will only prolong your recovery process. All you’re doing is adding more toxins to your body that’s already working overtime to clean out the alcohol you’ve already consumed. If a recent doctor’s appointment told you that your liver is in good shape, don’t think that’s a free excuse to drink heavily. In fact, drinking can affect other parts of your body as well. This includes your heart, blood pressure, kidneys and mental health. What is a healthy range of drinking for men and women age 65 years or older?
So, while you may temporarily feel at ease in the moment, you can feel more stressed the day after. The same study also notes that most students reported taking their first sip of alcohol at home, usually given to them by a parent.
Myth #9: Drinking is not a real addiction like drug abuse
- It literally affects every organ and also devastates relationships, finances and careers.
- As a result, people are tricked into thinking they have more energy than they actually do.
- In truth, coffee has no real effect on your blood alcohol level, which is the major factor in determining your level of intoxication.
- As with adults, teenage drug abuse isn’t limited to illegal drugs.
- Close family, friends, co-workers, children, and peers can all be affected by a person’s drinking problem.
In other words, coffee may just mask the feeling of being drunk, which is still not good. In reality, you need to know if you’ve had too many or not. “The alertness can create the perception that you aren’t as drunk or intoxicated as you actually are, and you may decide to have another drink or to drive home,” he adds.
If you or a loved one is struggling with an alcohol use disorder (alcoholism), now is the time to get help. Many rehab centers are ready to help you get started on your journey towards sobriety. Perhaps the most common myth about the benefits of alcohol is the idea that an occasional glass of red wine boosts heart health. Alcoholism affects everyone around the alcoholic, especially those closest to him or her. The level of heat at the center of the body drops slowly yet visibly as the blood that had been cooled flows. The reaction will continue so long as alcohol continues to exist in the body.
